2012-02-11

Gluten-Free Chocolate Recipes for Love + Valentine's Day

And if you wouldn't mind indulging me (just a little) let me count them in chocolate- that buttery dark bitter sweetness that coaxes even the no good very bad surliest day to soften its grip.

Consider this my gluten-free chocolate valentine to you.

For starters, let me thank you with a wake-up call. How about velvety Chocolate Muffins in bed? Served with your favorite morning beverage, of course. And for your mid-morning pick-me-up, let me tickle your fancy with a plate of crunchy pecan studded chocolate biscotti (you can dunk or not, Darling, it's up to you).

For mid-afternoon, may I tempt you with a classic offering? These Chocolate Cupcakes are akin to Devil's food cake. And for the evening dessert, how about two cakes? My vegan Mexican Chocolate Cake features a hint of cinnamon. Without a huevo in sight.

Not vegan (and love truffles)? Have I got a cake for you. Slice it thin. It is not for the faint of heart. This dense, rich, holiday-worthy Truffle Cake is pure, butter and cream laden decadence. Closer to candy than cake (hence the name). But hey.

Who am I to judge?

In fact, in Jungian typology I'm a P not a J. Have you ever taken a Meyers-Briggs test? I'm a P. An INFP to be precise- which is hard for an INFP to be, I'm sorry to say. The precise part. P means perceiver. Which means I like to keep things loose. I go with the flow. I leave cupboard doors and plans open. I'm more interested in ideas than gossip. I prefer exploration over critique. I respond to creativity rather than competition. Wisdom rather than rules. I make my own mind up about what I value- based on my interior perceptions and consideration, not public consensus. My most asked question on any given day is, Why?

And I'm serious. I want to know.

Writing down recipes is a learned discipline for me. It didn't come easy. I wing it when I cook. Learning to measure ingredients (and actually write down recipes) has been a long and winding act of love.

And if, like me, Dear Reader, you can never get enough sweet stuff and this offering of recipes has not satisfied your taste buds one bit, you've only to peruse these additional dessert recipes for inspiration.